Subsection M261En
Markleeville

Lithology and Stratigraphy.   Mesozoic granitic and post-batholith volcanic rocks predominate in this subsection; pre-batholith rocks are sparse.  The volcanic rocks are mostly Pliocene andesite and lahars.  The pre-batholith rocks are mostly undifferentiated metamorphic rocks.  There are small areas of Pleistocene glacial till and outwash and Quaternary alluvium.

Geomorphology.   This subsection is characterized by steep to very steep mountains.  Glacial erosion has modified much of the subsection.  Cirques, aretes, cols, and horns are common.  The rivers flow through both very steep sided V-shaped canyons and U-shaped canyons.  Alluvial basin floors are more extensive in the U-shaped canyons.  The elevation ranges from about 6000 to 9000 feet, but  up to 10023 on Hawkins Peak and 10,241 feet on Antelope Peak.  Mass wasting and fluvial erosion are the main geomorphic processes.  Pleistocene glaciation greatly modified the landscape.

Soils.  The soils are mostly Andic Xerumbrepts, Ultic Haploxeralfs, Lithic Ultic Argixerolls, and Andic Xerochrepts, plus shallow Typic Xeropsamments on granitic rocks.  Soils at the higher elevations are mostly Lithic and Andic Cryumbrepts, plus shallow Typic Cryopsamments on granitic rocks.  The soils are mostly well drained.  Soil temperature regimes are mostly frigid, but some are cryic.  Soil moisture regimes are mostly xeric.  Soils have udic moisture regimes where snow persists through spring, melting to keep soils moist through much of the summer.   Soils with aquic moisture regimes are present in glaciated terrain and small valleys,  but they are not extensive.

Vegetation.   The predominant natural plant communities are Jeffrey pine series, White fir series, Mixed subalpine forest series, and Red fir series. Lodgepole pine series occurs on some wet soils, and on drier soils where cold air drainage and frost limit the regeneration of other conifers.  Singleleaf pinyon, Utah juniper, and Big sagebrush series prevail at lower elevations.  Aspen series is common where drifted snow accumulates and provides water during summer.  Sedge meadow communities are not extensive.

Characteristic series by lifeform include:
Grasslands: Ashy ryegrass series, Fen habitat, Nebraska sedge series, Montane meadow habitat, Mountain heather - bilberry series, Needle-and-thread series, Rocky Mountain sedge series, Rothrock sagebrush series, Shorthair reedgrass series, Shorthair sedge series, Subalpine meadow habitat.
Shrublands: Big sagebrush series, Bitterbush series, Greenleaf manzanita series, Low sagebrush series, Parry rabbitbrush series, Rubber rabbitbrush series, Subalpine upland shrub habitat, Subalpine wetland shrub habitat, Tobacco brush series.
Forests and woodlands: Aspen series, Jeffrey pine series, Lodgepole pine series, Mixed subalpine forest series, Red fir series, Western white pine series, White fir series, Whitebark pine series.

Surface Water.  Runoff is rapid from most of the area.  It flows to the Carson or Walker Rivers.  Maximum flow in these rivers is during spring when snow is melting rapidly.  There are many small natural lakes or ponds in glaciated terrain.